Mo Usman, was one of the mentors that attended the first Meet A Mentor of 2014 earlier this month. We interviewed Mo to find out why he decided to sign up and his thoughts on the event itself and business mentoring.

Mo Usman started his working life as a qualified engineer, soon after achieved an MBA, and has had a career that has included work with start ups as well as multinationals. Since starting his consultancy business, Luna Business Solutions, he has delivered training, marketing, business planning and strategic support to charities and has worked with many organisations across the middle east.

Mo explains why he signed up for the event and how he found the day:

"I tried to attend last year, but every time I tried the tickets had gone, so this time I felt quite lucky to get a place. Essentially I just wanted to find out what they were all about, make some connections, and hopefully to meet a business that might benefit from my support"

"I really didn't know what to expect, but the event went really well, it was very well organised and there were lots of opportunities to meet businesses".

We asked Mo whether he was happy to support a business on a volunteer basis, he says

"For me, if it's a business which is local to me and therefore doesn't cost me anything, I'm happy to support on a volunteer basis as a mentor. I do similar work with Universities which covers costs, but I think it's important to develop networks and to support others".

"In the long term, through the mentoring activity, a business may want to take it to a commercial level, but I don't go in with that plan, this is simply about me making a connection with, and potentially supporting, a business that could benefit".

Although Mo is very happy to support, he didn't meet any businesses that seemed a right mentoring fit for him at the event, he says:

"I met a few interesting people but unfortunately as they were quite specific in what they needed there wasn't anyone that was an ideal match".

If you would like to connect with Mo and other contacts from the London event join the Meet A Mentor Event - London Group.

Sign up for one of the upcoming IOEE Meet A Mentor events on Eventbrite.